The Miami Dolphins quietly revamped their tight end room this offseason, focusing on 2023 starter Durham Smythe. Jonnu Smith, a veteran dual threat, has signed, as has Jody Fortson, a former Kansas City Chiefs red zone threat.
The latter appears to have gained attention following a strong showing at OTAs and minicamp.
“The Dolphins signed Jonnu Smith to provide a receiving threat at tight end, but Fortson has stood out during spring practices,” ESPN beat reporter Marcel Louis-Jacques wrote on June 24.
“He has a wide catch radius and has demonstrated the ability to gain yardage after the catch,” the Dolphins media member continued. Recognizing that the former Chiefs tight end faces a “challenging road to a meaningful workload” in 2024.
“The early returns on Fortson say he will be able to contribute when called upon,” Louis-Jacques concluded, despite having to contend with a “plethora of pass-catchers” in Miami.
Jody Fortson is coming off a lost campaign due to shoulder surgery. Fortson did not play any snaps in 2023. His season was cut short before it even begun due to a shoulder issue that necessitated surgery last summer.
Prior to his injury, the tight end expressed his desire to play a larger role in the Chiefs offense. Following that, Fortson pledged the NFL would not see the last of him.
“As always, I’ll give you my all to be the best that I can be,” Fortson posted on his Instagram story following the successful surgery. “GOD willing I’ll be back doing what I love to do, we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Later in the same message, he stated that he was “down but not out.” Stated: “This just some more concrete that the rose has to grow through.”
Fortson has never had double-digit receptions in a single season or accumulated more than 108 yards. He has four touchdown catches in all, and the 6-foot-4 target will always be a red zone threat for a quarterback, but it remains to be seen whether the 28-year-old can earn a more consistent role with the Dolphins.
Dolphins have prepared Tua Tagovailoa with a full complement of offensive pieces for 2024.
As contract negotiations continue, the Dolphins’ front staff should be confident that they have prepared Tua Tagovailoa for success in 2024.
Tagovailoa is not only paired with one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL — Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle — but he also has Odell Beckham Jr., three capable tight ends, two new rookies (Malik Washington and Tahj Washington) competing with Braxton Berrios for the WR4 job, and a stacked running back room that could be the fastest and most explosive group in the sport.
NFL Network analyst Jeff Darlington reduced his excitement about a Tagovailoa deal coming before Week 1 on June 25.
“Right now, the Dolphins are not offering the contract that is market value,” Darlington said. “Based on my conversations, they are not in the Jared Goff and Trevor Lawrence ballpark.”
Of course, maybe waiting will settle this dispute once and for all.
If Tagovailoa does not flourish with this set of playmakers surrounding him, he may not be worth the investment. And if he does, the Dolphins will gladly pay the piper after a lengthy playoff run.
Waiting may cost Miami more money in the long run, but such an important financial decision could be worth a few million dollars per year. So long as Tagovailoa is willing to show himself one final time.
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